NEO @ IDC

It was a long day with delays, miscommunications, filing a bunch of paper work and long-winded talk reading from the power point slide about benefits and insurance – very different from the experience in Redmond almost 8 years ago.

Yesterday, we told our driver to arrive by 8:15 so we could leave early and be on campus by 9:00. Vipul had received an email with NEO times, I didn’t even get an email but I just tagged along hoping that it was a communication error. The driver reported on time, but we were delayed since I had to find my card key. We left home at 8:35 and reached campus by 8:50 am – muy better than my Redmond commute to Advanta. Traffic was light along the way. Vipul has been to IDC before, but this was my first time – I was excited to see Infosys, Wipro, TCS, ISB, CA, all in close proximity!

Once at IDC, we had to go through multiple security checkpoints – luckily since our card key was ‘activated’ we could scan and enter – else we saw others get down from the car and go through some additional security measures.

Past security, the driver parked at the garage closest to Building 3 ( where the NEO was scheduled) and we asked to come back at 5:00 to pick us up.

Building 3 is a modern building – reminiscent of Advanta or City Center buildings with lush tropical foliage, fountains and flowering trees. At that mid morning hour, I could smell the faint traces of plumeria as the occasional breeze wafted our way.

Once inside, we used our card key to enter the building, but the receptionist/security guy pulled us aside to verify our card keys and then gave us directions to the NEO room.

There were about 12 of us in all at the NEO. Everyone was given a different start time of NEO – so people strolled in leisurely. We had chai and exchanged notes with others while we waited. Also, the NEO is over 2 days, day 1 is Global NEO and day 2 is for enity specific – MSIT, MS IDC etc. But since we didnt have 15 people, we didn’t end up with Global NEO and that will be scheduled at a latter date.Finally the HR gal showed up at 10:00 ( she was told that the session is at 10:00) and we spent the next hour and half on going over various forms ( new employee form, pension , corporate card etc). Vipul and I were industrious and filled the forms while she was explaining so we got done by 11:30! Others filled the forms after 11:30. Then we had a lunch break till 2:00.

Now, Vipul and I were starving at 11:30 – we ran upstairs to the cafeteria only to find that they don’t start till noon. We had a pathetic veggie burger and veg pita roll from the only counter that was open and then had a glass of buttermilk. Then I went upstairs to meet my team and said hi to an old friend, Shubhada ( glad we are on the same team!!) and found the cube where I will sit. Boo for the cube, but yay for the team!

After that we took the shuttle to Vipul’s office in Bldg 1. I waited in the lobby while he met his team mates and found his office ( he gets an office ~)) . Then we explored his cafeteria ( mine is better but lacks chat corner) , gym ( there is one in each Bldg with showers and towel service). His building also has a Barista , basketball court and a cricket ground ( a match was going on in 35 C heat – either they are crazy or we are these ‘pretentious firangs’ who can’t handle heat anymore).

Oh, and did I mention there is free Maaza in the cooler?

And the dishware and cups/mugs are the ‘real’ kind – not the compostable ‘can’t- handle-hot-contents-for- they-melt’ variety!

After lunch, we had an hour-long session on flex benefits and insurance plan options. It was boring and I was glad when it was over. The gist that I took away from it is that we can get coverage for us as well as our parents as part of medical insurance, life insurance is limited to employees and their spouse, dental coverage is almost non-existent and child care is subsidized.

Following this was another hour-long session on details of medical insurance, claims process, network policy etc. This was the longest hour today as the United Healthcare speaker droned on and on.Even garam garam cardamom chai could not keep us up. Luckily, everyone felt that way and no one asked any questions and the session ended before time.

The last session of the day was on Income Taxes, salary structure, allowances, deductions and exemptions – the most interesting session of the day. I will post details on this in a subsequent post once we file the Indian Income tax return for our ~ 2 weeks income before the tax year ends on March 30th. The speaker from Ernst and Young was knowledgable and relatively engaging. Kudos to him for answering questions patiently and making taxes not-so-boring at the end of the day!

Then a bunch of Bank representatives (AXIS, ICICI, HDFC , Kotak Mahindra etc) had come on campus so we could open a bank account. There is an ICICI bank on campus, but we opened an account with Kotak Mahindra as they had the best interest rates on savings account ( 6% P.A.) and had a Activmoney feature where in any amount greater than 1 lakhs gets transferred to a fixed deposit earring higher interest rate of 8.25% .The other benefits , such as ATM coverage, daily limits, net banking etc seemed almost the same amongst all banks. They made us fill our name, address, phone number, nominee information on a one page form and said that they will fill the official form which is 4-5 pages long using that information. We simply signed the official form and gave them a photograph and copy of our passport and in exchange got a welcome kit that included the ATM/Debit card, online account ID, bank account ID, passwords , check book etc.

I was hungry by this time. We ate a samosa and gulab jamun ( free!), met another friend, called the driver and came home. Traffic was OK at 5:30 and we were home by 5:50.

I was glad to see Varun after a long day! We went down for a walk and to play in the garden.Tomorrow is first day of real work. I can’t wait to get started 🙂

Welcome to Our Tiny Lot!

Whats up! We are Vipul & Rutu. Self Confessed Foodies, Travel Lovers and parents to an active 3 year old ( & growing to four) making San Francisco our home after a decade in Seattle and a stint in India. Read more about us and join us on our adventures.